Omaha daily bee., 1887-11-16
HT,ittie phiI'Sv Annual.


WAsHINGToN, Nov 15.-Leutenant Gen
eral p. H. Sheridan in his annual report
briefly sums up the condition of the various
divisions of the army, and of the Division of
of the Missouri says that the whole of it has
been free from Indian hostlities of any mag
nitudc. Many operations of minor nature
have been rendered necessary. Troops have
been continually occupied in patrolling the
the Oklahoma country and have been success
full in keeping intruders out of that region.
The gradual spread of railroads throughout
the territory can, however, ultimately have
but one effect, and General Sheridan is of
the opinion that congress may well consider
the advisability of opening up the reserva-
tion. at least of this contry, to settlement.
The general reviews the difficulties arising in
August in Colorado, near the Uncompaghre
Indian reservation. He also touches upon
the recent trouble occurring on the Crow
Indian reservation in Montana and its
settlement by General Ruger. In regard to
the concentration OF the army in larger posts,
the report says that work on the new post at
Denver, where it is proposed to place ten
companies, will shortly be commenced. That
of San Antonio has been progressing favor
ably during the year. The ground for the
new post near Chicago will pass into posses
sion of the government at an early day. At
Fort Smelling both reservation and other
attendant conditions are favorable for the
establishment of u large garrison and only
some additional buildings are required for
their accommodation. The reconstruction of
Fort Riley has been actively prosecuted dur
| ing the year, but before it can be completed
| additional appropriations will be necessary.
| General Sheridan does not look favorably
| upon the proposition Of General Miles to
| scperate the lndiaDs now at San Carlos into
several camps about one or two hundred
| miles apart Divided into different bands,
| he says each location might become center
of disturbances and the difficulties of their
| supervision would be greatly increased.
The artillery, infantry and cavalry schools
| are reported to be doing go cd work and the
| army has greatly improved in rifle practice.
| The general renews his recommendation that
| 5000 men be added and that two majors and
two captains be added to each infantry regi-
| ment. He urges, as a measure highly pro-
| motive of efficiency, the retirement of about
| eighty old officers who are unfit for duty, but
| whose detention on the active list puts addi-
| tlonal work on men who are at the same time
withheld from promotion thereby. On the
| question of arms the report says the time is
| near at hand when the army should be sup
! piled with machine guns, and says that
! unless effective arms of this character are
| developed by American manufacturers very
soon, the government should ad opt some for
eign repeating gun. General Sheridan con-
cludes his report with the recommendation
that the general government extend
all possible aid to the national
| Euaru OF tle ulIrefent states.
| They should be armed with the best weapons,
amply provided with complete camp and gar
| rison equipage and instructed in various
| drills and exercises according to the tactics
and systems followed in the regular army,
| Most of the state troops now march well and
handle gun well, but they are deficient in
discipline and in all duties that teach a sol
dier to take care of himself while in camp or
upon the march. This defect can be best
overcome by establishing some system OF
/ apntNr ami ha trnl nd Il ncti iny,
and at the entire expense of the general gov
ernment. The general recommends that
favorable consideration of the subject be
commended to congress.
Congressman Lyman on Iowa Politics
| WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.-[Special Telegram
to the BEE. .]-Representative Lyman, of Du
buque. Ia, arrived here this evening for the
session. He was reelected last yeal
and is feeling very good after hs
summers contact with his consttu
| ency. He said to the BEE CORE
spondent tonight that Iowans were not talk
ing much about the treasury surplus bu
We're in favor of free sugar and lumber. H,
would support these propositions but was no
| in favor of abolishing tax on tobacco. III,
was in favor of taxing all luxuries and put
ting the necessares of life on the free list
| He says the statement made by Representa-
|
Is becoming democratic state is absurd
"Iowa" he said, "gave Blaine 5000 major
ity and will give any other good republican
| more. The state is first for Allison and hi
name will be pushed before the convention
but the party will heartily support any othe
good man if he is not nominated" The pro
hibtion vote is, in Mr.. Lyman's opinion, di
minishing very rapidly by transfer OF sup
port to the old parties. The Germans ar
going largely to the democratic party in tina
state because Of the pronounced attitude o
the republican party in favor OF prohibition
A Naval Officers Report.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.-Commodore WE
son, chief of the bureau Of construction an
repair Of the navy department. in his annua
report renews the recommendation that tw
new vessels of about l.000 tons each be bui
to replace the training ships Saratoga, James
town and Portsmouth, which cannot poss
bly, be kept in service much longer. Hs ask